Malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the heart--case report of a rare left-atrial tumor.

The present report describes the case of a 57-year-old patient with malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the left atrium operated on for a suspected atrial myxoma. Surgery was performed as radically as possible and included resection of the atrial wall. Clinical investigation and echocardiography performed 29 months after surgery revealed no signs of tumor recurrence. Diagnostic procedures, topography, pathohistology as well as options for therapy are discussed with regard to the latest literature. A radical surgical approach represents the only effective therapeutic measure. Owing to a lack of sufficient experience, there is no additional therapeutic recommendation on hand. Neither radiation nor chemotherapeutic treatment concepts have proved efficient. Echocardiography represents the best examination procedure for both diagnosis and follow-up in patients with cardiac tumor.